Umami

Dinner for four please!

Last Saturday we took the girls to a new Japanese barbeque restaurant- Umami in Vineyard. It is a all-you-can-eat meat type of restaurant, and the fun part is that you get to cook your own food. 

It is a bit expensive and we wanted the girls the have this experience. They really enjoyed it, but I told them that if they want to go back there they will need to find a job first. Haha

Dentist appointment

These girls deserve a 10 for taking a good care of their teeth.

Today at the dentist, they had cleaning done and had their teeth checked. Giovanna's appointment took a bit longer because she got sealing on four molars. Neither of them have any cavities. Hooray!

Art show

Today was Bianca’s art show at school and I was not looking forward to it. I was feeling sick, achy, and with zero motivation to get ready and drive, specially because it's been so cold and I do not like winter.

BUT somehow moms always find strength.. so off I went to the art show, and honestly I am glad I did. Bianca did a great job at making a model of Taj Mahal in India and coming up with an idea for the art contest "It is not what it seems".

She drew several airhead candies of different fruity flavors and wrote "Not healthy airheads". The idea is that candy must seen so good and attractive but it is not what it seems- it is actually not good nor healthy for our bodies. Plus, she made sure to all the candies were fruit flavored, because fruit is supposed to be healthy.

I am so impressed by her little brain and her critical thinking. I love her SO MUCH! And I am so proud of her. 

Lunch for two

Today Giovanna asked to have lunch just me and her. After picking her up from school (and making Brazilian panqueca de carne moída for Ale and Bianca) we headed to Outback.

This school year has been difficult for her to a point she’s been considering homeschooling. The last news about one of the art teachers from her school made her really anxious. 

We sat down and talked about school, plans for the future, and the world and people in it nowadays. I am grateful for our close relationship and for being able to build trust with each other and strengthen our connection even more.

I am a big believer that open communication is everything and I cannot stress enough to my children they can talk to me anytime, anywhere. I will shut my computer, turn the TV off, and avoid any distractions to listen, teach, and address any of their concerns. 

“And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children”.

(3 Ne. 22:13)

Mufasa

 Our family has finally watched the much anticipated new Lion King movie- Mufasa. Ale loves Lion King so we could not miss it, plus we love going to the movies. I hope one day the girls will remember days like these and be able to do the same with their own family.

Milena is 7

Happy birthday cute girl! Thank you for having us for breakfast and painting. What a fun party! 

After the party we met the Matutes for lunch at The Pie Pizzeria, and watched Marito's soccer game while Bianca joined Milena to The Big Green, a new indoor playground in Saratoga Springs.

Lindon Temple

 A quick stop to take a picture of the progress of the Lindon Temple construction. 

I just noticed today we can see the temple tower from our place. How fun and privileged we are for having temples so close from us!

Getting ready

January 16th is approaching and I am getting more excited than I thought I would be for my graduation ceremony. The girls are VERY excited, which is the real reason I am attending it.

Since the school is not providing a stole I decided to make one. I bought a white stole at Amazon, some fun letters at Joann's, and I cut the "Joyce" sign from my scrubs. And just like that I had a beautiful, personalized stole for the graduation.

I also decorated my cap after the movie Legally Blonde. I used Elle Woods's line on her graduation speech scene: "Class of 2004. We did it" to honor my dear family for all the support these past two years. Somehow, we really enjoy this movie and I thought it would be funny to do it. Ha! 

Ava is 5

 Happy birthday to Ava who is turning five! It's been so fun to see the Matute kids growing up and being part of their lives. We are so happy and grateful for this friendship!

Her birthday party theme was Encanto and it was so beautiful! Kelly always does a great job. The girls had a lot of fun. 

Giovanna loves being with the kids and acting like everyone's big sister. Jennifer and Samantha were there as well. Every time I see them together I remember when they little (and I want to cry). 

Look at how big they are!!!

2025

The idea of a whole new year is always very exciting for me. I like to think I have 365 blank pages to write on. I usually try to write a good story full of beautiful memories with people I love, personal and spiritual growth, and some bumps and falls along the way.

2024 was a busy year with daily responsibilities, church calling, and finishing nursing school. As I graduate and contemplate some free time I also think about goals I would like to accomplish that I was not able to last year. 

I am excited for 2025. 

Ale and I had decided to celebrate New Year’s eve at home since he would be waking up early to go to the office. Plans changed when he told me he would be working from home instead. We decided to go the Matutes as we do every year.

It was fun to be around friends, music, and food. I love a good party to ring in the new year.